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(No Model.)

H. P. ELWELL.

COMPOSITE TRANSOM FOR AMMUNITION BOXES.

No. 886,696. Patented July 24, 1888.

E- /fnZ- ZZ I I 3: 1 Style 0% N. PETERS. Phnlo-Llthagraphur. Walhinglon. D, c.

iINrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOIVARD P. EIAVELL, OF \VASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE HOTOHKISS ORDNANOE COMPANY, (LIMITED,) OF ENGLAND.

COMPOSITE TRANSOM FOR AMMUNlTlON-BOXES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 386,696. dated July 24, 1888. Application filed Aprilfll, 1888. Serial No. 271,464. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HOWARD P. ELWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at XVash-- ington, in the District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Composite Transoms for Ammunition-Boxes, of which the. following is a specification.

In the packing of cartridges of large size it is desirable to store the greatest possible mun- [0 her in the smallest space consistent with their ready removal.

I'Ieretofore it has been found impracticable to reduce the size of ammunition-boxes for the packing of such large-sized cartridges, because the plain wooden transoms in use required apertures of a larger size than the diameter of the cartridges in order to obviate the diliiculty always found -the warping of the wood, which binds the cartridges and prevents their easy withdrawal. By reason of the allowance for the warping of the wooden transom the cartridge shakes around in the aperture and is not held firmly in place.

It is the object of' my invention to remove these objections and to provide a compact,

light, and strong transom capable of containing the cartridges, the apertures disposed to the greatest advantage as regards space, not liable to bind the cartridges, but holding them firmly, so as to prevent their wabbling, and at the same time allowing them to be easily withdrawn. To this end my composite transom is constructed of two thin wooden sections with an interposed layer of any flexible or elastic material, the whole being firmly secured to gether in any well-known way. The apertures in the wood sections are made somewhat larger than the diameter of the cartridge, while the concentric aperture in the interposed flexible material is made of the same diameter as that of the cartridge. I11 this way the cartridge, when inserted, is firmly held by the flexible material, which projects slightly beyond the walls of the wooden apertures, and thus forms a packing between it and the walls, while at the same time the cartridge can be readily withdrawn.

In constructing the transom I prefer to cross the grain of the wooden sections, thus adding greatly toits strength and preventing its warping. For the intermediate layer I prefer to use felt, but any elastic or flexible materialsuch as canvas, leather, or cloth-will do. In the composite transom thus made, however rough the usage to which the box is exposed, the cartridges are firmly held in place, not bound by warping oi' the transonnand readily withdrawn when required.

In the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate my invention, Figure I is a view of an annnunition-box, partly broken away, provided with my composite transom and show ing a cartridge in place; and Fig. 2 is a view in perspective, partly in section, of my composite transom.

A is the transom.

B O are the two outer wooden sections,having their grain crossed.

l.) is the interposed layer of flexible or elastic material.

E E are the concentric apertures, of equal diameter, in the wooden sections 15 and 0, respectively.

. F is the concentric aperture in the flexible material, I), of lesser diameter than those in the wooden sections, but of the same diameter as that of the cartridge to be inserted, thus presenting a projecting rim, F, within each aperture to serve as a packing.

I do not limit myself to the use of my composite transom for the packing of cartridges alone, as it is evident that the same may be used for the packing of bottles and other fragile articles requiring to be firmly held in place. Neither do I limit myself to the material of which the outer sections of the transom are made, as the same may be of metal or any suitable rigid material.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters 0 Patent, is-

1. The composite transom consisting of two rigid sections and an interposed section of flexible material, and having the concentric apertures, and the projecting rim of the flexi- 5 ble material for the purpose offorming a packing, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a cartridgebox,

of a composite transom having two external In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto set my rigid sections, an interposed section of flexible hand in the presence of two subscribing witmaterial and concentric apertures, and the nesses.

projecting rim of the flexible material for the HOWARD P. ELVVELL. 5 purpose of forming a packing for the ear- Witnesses:

tridges, substantially as and for the purpose LAURENCE V. BENET,

set forth. WM. K. ELLIS. 

